A log by Les AuCoin of his experiences supporting the Barack Obama / Joe Biden ticket in the 2008 United States Presidential campaign in Ohio. AuCoin was a former U.S. Congressman from Oregon. At the time he wrote this log, he was serving as a visiting professor at Southern Oregon University. The photographs in the log were taken by his wife, professional photographer Sue AuCoin.
This log was originally published electronically as a blog in 2008. It covers the AuCoins' work for the Obama campaign between September 27 - November 3, 2008, mostly in Ohio; Les AuCoin's reactions to the results on Election Day, November 4, 2008; and reflections on Obama's victory, written on November 23, 2008. In 2022, AuCoin added comments to the original blog series and saved the text and images in the present PDF format.
Representative AuCoin poses for a photo with the campaign staff and volunteers for his 1986 campaign for office. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. The original photo remains with the AuCoin family.
Representative Les AuCoin and Pat McCormick, AuCoin's legislative aide in Oregon, at the 1980 National Democratic Convention. At the time, AuCoin was the chair of the Oregon delegation. The convention was held in New York City from August 11th to the 14th, and it formally nominated President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale for reelection. This photo is undated, but was likely taken in the 2000s This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. The original photo remains with the AuCoin family.
Letter from Malcolm Wilkey, Special Counsel to the Attorney General, clearing Representative Les AuCoin of any criminal violations regarding the House Bank. In 1991 a government audit of the bank, where House members could deposit paychecks, showed hundreds of members with overdrafts on their accounts. Further investigation eventually revealed that, while a few members intentionally abused the bank, many of these overdrafts were caused by the bank’s delay in processing deposits. In this letter from September 18th, 1992, the US Department of Justice cleared AuCoin of any wrongdoing with the bank. The House Bank was a major issue in the 1992 election, and AuCoin's involvement was frequently attacked by political opponents.This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. See also PUA_MS147_137 for a statement by AuCoin addressing the House Bank audit.
Statement by Representative Les AuCoin about his House Bank account. In particular, he outlines the results of a recent audit of his account, done at his request. In 1991 a government audit of the bank, where House members could deposit paychecks, showed hundreds of members with overdrafts on their accounts. Further investigation eventually revealed that, while a few members intentionally abused the bank, many of these overdrafts were caused by the bank’s delay in processing deposits. In September 1992, the US Department of Justice cleared AuCoin of any wrongdoing with the bank. The House Bank was a major issue in the 1992 election, and AuCoin's involvement was frequently attacked by political opponents. This statement, given on March 17th, 1992, was a response to the criticism. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. See also PUA_MS147_138 for the letter clearing AuCoin of any criminal violations.
Certificate of Nomination declaring "Les AuCoin has been nominated as Democratic candidate for United States Senator at the Primary Election held May 19, 1992". Signed by Secretary of State Phil Keisling on June 18th, 1992. In the Democratic primary, AuCoin’s biggest opponent was Harry Lonsdale, a multi millionaire businessman who ran as an outsider to Washington politics. The primary results were close enough to trigger an automatic recount, and AuCoin was eventually certified as the winner by 330 votes. AuCoin went on to face Senator Bob Packwood in the general election, and Packwood was ultimately elected to the Senate. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives.
Letter from Mark Mercier, Tribal Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, regarding the results of the 1992 election. In the letter, Mercier expresses his disappointment that AuCoin was not elected to the Senate and thanks him for his support of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. In particular, Mercier thanks AuCoin for his political support of the Grand Ronde reservation, which returned about 9,800 acres of land to the tribe in 1988. This document is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. See also PUA_MS147_73 through PUA_MS147_84 and PUA_MS147_128 through PUA_MS147_129 for further information about the Grand Ronde bills.
Certificate recording the nomination of Les AuCoin as the "Democrat candidate for Representative in Congress, First District, at the Primary Election held May 20, 1974". Signed by Clay Myers, Secretary of State, on June 27th, 1974. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives.
Letter to Representative Les AuCoin from Tony Coelho, Chairman of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The letter identifies Representative AuCoin as "one of thirty-five Democratic Congressmen targeted by Republican Party leaders for defeat in 1986." In 1986, AuCoin ran against Tony Meeker in the election for U.S. Representative of Oregon's First District. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 25, Folder 7.
Press release from Representative Les AuCoin's 1986 campaign for office. The release announces an upcoming event, "AuCoin's Birthday Spaghetti Feed", featuring then-Senator Joe Biden. At the time, Biden was also running for U.S. President in the 1988 election. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. See also PUA_MS147_40 for an image of the event.
This is one of a pair of press releases from Representative Les AuCoin's 1992 campaign for the U.S. Senate. The releases describe and denounce the Oregon Republican Party's advertising campaign aimed at influencing the 1992 Democratic primary. The radio advertisements attacked AuCoin and promoted his opponent, Harry Lonsdale. The AuCoin campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing the Oregon Republican Party of making illegal campaign contributions. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 33, Folder 6. See also PUA_MS147_59
This is one of a pair of press releases from Representative Les AuCoin's 1992 campaign for the U.S. Senate. The releases describe and denounce the Oregon Republican Party's advertising campaign aimed at influencing the 1992 Democratic primary. The radio advertisements attacked AuCoin and promoted his opponent, Harry Lonsdale. The AuCoin campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing the Oregon Republican Party of making illegal campaign contributions. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 33, Folder 6. See also PUA_MS147_60
Letter from Bill Moshofsky to Representative Les AuCoin on November 9th, 1984. Bill Moshofsky ran against Representative AuCoin in the 1984 election for U.S. Representative for Oregon's first congressional district. In the letter, Moshofsky congratulates AuCoin on his reelection to the House of Representatives and highlights issues he hopes AuCoin will address in office. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 18, Folder 8.
Typed speech by Les AuCoin declaring his candidacy for the US Senate against Senator Bob Packwood. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS 147) at the Pacific University Archives.
Sticker advertising Eugene McCarthy's 1968 campaign for president. Representative Les AuCoin campaigned for Eugene McCarthy in Oregon, and the experience inspired him to run for state representative two years later. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives.
Certificate recording the nomination of Les AuCoin as the "Democratic candidate for Representative in Congress, First District, at the Primary Election held May 20, 1986". Signed by Barbara Roberts, Secretary of State, on June 19th, 1986. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 25, Folder 7.
Certificate recording the nomination of Les AuCoin as the "Democrat candidate for Representative in Congress, First District, at the Primary Election held May 15, 1990". Signed by Barbara Roberts, Secretary of State, on June 14th, 1990. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 50, Folder 1.
Portrait of Eugene McCarthy, Democratic candidate for the 1968 presidential election. Representative Les AuCoin campaigned for Eugene McCarthy in Oregon, and the experience inspired him to run for state representative two years later. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 49, Folder 13.
Postcard advertising Representative Les AuCoin's 1972 campaign for Oregon state representative. The photo shows a smiling Representative AuCoin shaking hands with a young child. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 12, Folder 6.
Door hanger advertisement for Representative Les AuCoin's 1984 campaign for U.S. Representative. The front of the flyer includes an endorsement from The Oregonian titled "Keep AuCoin in Congress". The back includes a checklist comparing Congressman Les AuCoin to his opponent Bill Moshofsky. The flyer is dated October 16th, 1984. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 18, Folder 1.
Hand-drawn flyer advertising "An Evening for Les AuCoin Spaghetti Dinner, featuring homemade pies, cakes, and bread, Continuous Entertainment" at the Beaverton Methodist Church on Sunday October 11th, 1970. Representative Les AuCoin often held spaghetti dinners during his campaigns for office, and this one was for his first campaign for state representative in Oregon. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 11, Folder 26.
Newspaper advertisement for Representative Les AuCoin's first campaign for Oregon state representative. The advertisement features a sketch of Representative AuCoin, a list of positions taken by AuCoin and his opponent, and the conclusion that "AuCoin will be a great State Representative". This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 11, Folder 26.
Postcard advertising Representative Les AuCoin's first campaign for Oregon state representative. On the front, a smiling Representative AuCoin hands out campaign literature. On the back, the text reads "Dear, I am supporting LES AUCOIN for State Representative (Washington County Position No. 2). I hope you will strongly consider doing the same. By visiting 5,000 homes in Washington County Les has demonstrated that he is a real worker for responsive government, and a sensible, new voice for Washington County! (Bipartisan Citizens Committee for Les AuCoin, P.O. Box 5190, Aloha, Oregon 97005)". This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 11, Folder 26.
A bumper sticker advertising Representative Les AuCoin's first campaign for Oregon state representative. The text reads "Elect Les AuCoin State Representative, Bipartisan Citizens for Les AuCoin, Roger Eiss chmn, Box 5190, Aloha, OR 97006, Paul R. Moos distr, Box 295 Clackamas, OR 97015". This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives.
